Valve



' May 69 194k A. T; KING ET AL. 2,240,560

VALVE Filed Oct. 2. 1959 wif www 2952 Patented May 6, 1941 ariosto UNTED STTS PTENT OFFCE VALVE Albert T. King and Kenneth A. King, Orange, Calif.

Application October 2, 1939, Serial No. 297,497

ll Claims. (Cl. 137-104) This invention relates to valves and relates more particularly to valves for maintaining a constant head or pressure in lines such as the laterals of irrigation systems. A Ageneral object of this invention is to provide a valve of the class referred to that is particularly effective and that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

In irrigation systems in hilly country difficulty is experienced in maintaining a uniform pressure in the main lines and the laterals which are fed by the main lines. Tall overflow stands are often installed at the high ends of the laterals to provide the desired head in the laterals, and similar tall stands are sometimes required at points along the main lines. Manual valves are often employed to maintain the desired head but such valves require attention and manual operation each time there is a change in supply head or dis charge rate. Conventional regulator valves may be used to control the head of water in such systems, but such valves are so costly and complicated that they are impractical and are rarely used. The pipes of irrigation systems are often constructed of cement, or the like, and therefore are easily fractured by shock such as accompanies water hammer. Many valves and systems now used cause water hammer that fractures the pipes, 4necessitating expensive replacements and repair.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve that is operable to maintain a substantially uniform head or pressure in a fluidline such as a lateral feeder of an irrigation system, without chattering and without producing water hammer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve of the character mentioned that is entirely automatic in operation, making the presence of an attendant or operator unnecessary.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve of the character mentioned that is eX- tremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install. The improved valve of the present invention does not include a large or costly metal body such vas is found in most valves. It is a feature of the invention that the working parts of the valve may be set directly in cement, to become operative in a pipe or line part.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve of the character mentioned embodying a novel, very effective means for producing a pressure balancing bleeding action through the Valve at the initiation of each opening movement and a novel means for absorbing or preventing shock at the end of each closing movement.

A further object of this invention is to provide a valve of the character mentioned that is small and compact and, therefore, suitable for installation in a limited space.

The various objects and features ofV our invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical, preferred' form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical detailed sectional View of a portion of an irrigation system showing the valve of the present 'invention installed therein and in the fully open position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the principal parts of the valve with the piston valve in the fully open position, and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the supporting means.

The valve of the present invention may, of course, be .employed in numerous situations and may perform Various functions. In the following detaileddescription we will describe a typical preferred embodiment of the invention installed in a part of a more or less conventional irrigation system to control the delivery of water to a feeder lateral. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the particular form or application of the inven tion herein described, but is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The portion of the irrigation system illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises what we will term a supply line I0 and an outlet line II. The line I I may be considered as a feeder lateral for supplying water to a plurality of valved outlets. The lines IB and II are inclined and a substantially vertical stand pipe or stand i2 is interposed between the low end of the line I0 and the high end of the line II. The stand I2 is a tubular element of substantial diameter open at its upper end for water overiiow and inspection purposes and closed at its lower end. A block or body of vcement C, or the like, closes the lower end of the stand I2 and secures the adjacent end portions of the lines I0 and II in the correct relation with the stand. The line I I may have direct communication with the lower portion of the stand I2 while the discharge end of the line I i] has a vertical branch or pipe arm I 3 within the stand I 2'. The pipe arm i3 is arranged in spaced adjacent relation to the wall of the stand I2 and is considerably smaller in diameter than the stand. The lower end of the arm I3 is set in and closed by the body of cement C. The valve of the invention controls communication between the upper end of the pipe line arm i3 and the interior of the stand I2.

The valve of the invention may be said to comprise, generally, a mounting or supporting means I5 for application to the upper end of the pipe arm I3, a cylinder l carried by the supporting means I5, a piston valve Il operable in the cylinder iii and adapted to seal with the means l5 to close off the pipe arm I3, a oat and lever `means I3 for operating the piston valve Il and a novel connection 9 between the means I8 and the piston valve ll.

The mounting or supporting means i5 carries the various other elements ofthe valve and is adapted for installation on the upper end of the conduit part or arm I3. The means I5 is characterized by its simplicity and low cost and by the fact that it replaces and makes unnecessary the costly valve body employed in most valves, The means I5 comprises an annular base element which we will term aflange 2i). The upper part of the flange Zil is flat and horizontal and the flange is in the formv of a downwardly outwardly sloping lip. 2|. The lower edge por-V tion of the lip 2l is adapted tofrest on the upper end of the pipe arm I3. In the case illustrated in Fig. 1 the upper end of the pipe arm i3 has a suitably shaped socket 22 in vwhich the lip seats. Cement 23 or otherrsuitable material is provided in the socket 22 to secure therange lip-2l to the pipe arm i3 and to provide a seal between the arrn and the flange lip.

The supporting means l5 furthe-r includes a bracket 24 `carried by the flange 2l). The bracket 2a has an annular horizontal fiange or base rim 25 overlying the upper horizontal part of the fiange Z.V A gasket 26 of hydraulic packing resistant to the action of the fluid handled is interposed between the opposing surfaces of the flange 29 and the bracket rim 25. Screws 2l' pass through openings in the rim 25 and are screwed into openings in the flange 28 to secure the bracket 2li to the flange. The gasket 2S continues inwardly beyond the annular upper portion of the iiange 2E! to form a downwardly facing sealing element or seat for the piston valve Il'. It will be noted that the annular opening in the bracket rim 25 is adapted to communicate with the vinterior of the pipe arm i3 and the interior oi the stand I2. The bracket 2a further includes an elevated platform 28 supported on the rim 25Vby spaced legs or webs 29. The platform 23 carries elements of the lever and float means i3 as will be subsequently dcscribed. The flange 213 and the bracket 2s are, formed of brass, bronze, or other material that is substantially unaffected by the water or fluid handled. It is to be particularly noted that the supporting means l5 that replaces the customary valve body is very simple and inexpensive to manufacture and is readilyY mounted on they pipe Y part or arm-|3.

The cylinder It is suspended from the sup# porting means I5 and carries orreceives the piston valve I?. The cylinder IS is open at its upper end to receive the valve Il and is clos-ed at its lov/erend lby an imperforate wall 29. In the preferred construction the cylinder l is spaced below the supporting means I5.V rihe means for suspending the cylinder le in spaced relation to the supporting means l 5 includes a series of circurnferentiallyv spaced webs 3S projecting from the upper end of the cylinder l5 and joined at their upper end by a ring 3 I .1 The ring 3l bears upwardly against the gasket 2S within the flange 2t and is secured to the rim 25 or" the bracket 24 by screws 32. The webs 30 and the ring Ll may be integral with the cylinder I5. The cylinder Iii may be a simple, one piece casting of brass, or the like.

' The piston valve Il is the main closure element of the device, being operable to seal against the gasket 25 to close off the upper end of the pipe line arm I5. The piston Il is a cylindrical member having a cylindrical side wall 33 and an upper wall or head S. The side wall 33 slidably cooperates with the internal surface of the cylinder I. The hea-d 34 of the valve Il has a flat finished upper surface 35 for sealing with the gasket 26. In accordance withthe invention'the upper outer corner of the piston valve II is preferably cut away to provide an upwardly facing annular shoulder S. Where the surface 35 is in sealing engagement with the gasket 25 the shoulder S is exposed to the action of the pressure in the pipe arm I3 which pressure tends to open the valve Il. The valve Il provided with the shoulder S has the form and action oi' a differential piston. A tapered central fluid deecting :boss B is provided on the upper end of the Valve I'I. A central vertical opening S is provided in the upper wall or head 313 of the plston valve Il and passes through the boss B. The opening 35 is controlled by the rneansror connection I9 as will be later described and serves to put the interior of the Vcylinder it in communication with the pipe arm i3 or the stand I2. A tubular wall 3l depends from the valve head 34 in surrcundingconcentric relation with the opening 3S. Y

The float and lever means i8 operates the valve I'I between its open and closed positions in response to variations in the level of the water in the stand I2 which reflect the head of the fluid in the line Ii. The means I3 includes a float lever 33 provided at its outer end with a buoyant elemen-t or float 39. The lever 3S pivoted at its inner end ito the platform 28 so that the float 3Q rising and falling in response to variations in the water level in the lstand l2 pivots the lever up and down. A lug i0 projects upwardly from the platform 2S and a split link di has its lower end ,connected with the lug dil by a pivot pin (i2. The inner part of the oat lever 3d is flat sided and is received in the upper portion of the split link di. A pivot pin i3 pivotally connects the inner end of the lever 3S with the link QI. The means I8 further includes a link ill depending from the lever 33. A yoke 45 is screwed or otherwise fixed on the upper end of the link da and a pivot pin i6 connects the yoke 5 with the float lever 33 so thatY the lever operates the link dfi. rihe link $4 passes downwardly through a guide opening el in the platform 28 and continues downwardly through the opening 35 in the valve head 35. The

link M passes `through the opening 3S with con-V siderable earance leaving an annulus for the free flow oi' fluid. While we have shown the operating float 39 secured to the lever 38 it is to be understood that the lever 38 is not essentialin every installation and in some cases the float 39 may be secured directly to the upper end of the stem or link dft. Y

The yconnection it serves to operatively connect the link Mi with the piston valve i l and to govern iluid flow through the opening'ti. The connection EQ includes a sealing washe i8 ing against the under surface of the valve head within the wall 3l and in surrounding relation to theopening 3%. The washer i8 is formed of hydraulic packing or other material unaffected by the fluid handled. The connection I9 further includes a valve part 49 screwed to or otherwise xed on the lower end of the link 44 to operate within the wall 31 with clearance. The upper end of the Valve part 49 is adapted to seal with the washer 48 to close off the opening 36 and thus close off communication of the cylinder I6 with the pipe arm I3 and the stand. The cooperation of the valve part 49 with the washer 48 may transmit movement from the link 44 to the piston valve I'I land with the Valve head 35 in cooperation with the gasket 26 the engagement of the part 49 with the washer 48 limits upward movement of the link 44, the lever 38 and the float 39. A bar or rod 50 `is arranged in transverse openings in the lower portion of the wall 3'I and is engageable by the lower end of the valve part 49 so that downward movement may be transmitted from the link 44 to the piston valve II.

The valve part 49 and the washer 48 and the rod 50 engaged thereby form a slack connection between the fioat operated link 44 and the piston valve II. In the construction illustrated this slack yconnection is spring loaded to yieldingly resist or retard movement of the valve part 49 toward the washer 48 although other means may be provided for this purpose if desired. A coiled spring I is shown arranged under compression between the washer 48 and a flange 52 on the lower end of the valve part 49. The spring 5I services to urge the valve part 49 and the link 44 downwardly with respect to the piston valve I'I. rThe valve I'I and the various elements of the means I8 and the connection I9 are formed of brass or other material unaected by the Water or fluid handled.

In operation it will be assumed that the line I9 is delivering water to the lateral line I I and that the Valved outlets of the line I I are open. Under normal operating conditions when there is a correct head or pressure in the line I I the fluid level in the stand I2 maintains the float 39 in a position where the piston valve I'I is open. In practice the piston valve I'I may be in an intermediate open position when the desired pressure or head is in the line II, When the pressure or head in the line II increases due to closing of certain of the outlets or due to an increase in the head of the fluid delivered by the line I9 the water level in the stand I2 rises. When this occurs the float 39 pivots the lever 3B upwardly and the link 44 moves upwardly. This movement continues until the piston valve I I is closed. The spring 5I forms a force transmitting element which transmits the upward movement from the link 44 to the piston Valve I'I and the spring may yield during the closing movement of the piston valve I'I so that the valve part 49 approaches the washer 49. The boss-B around the opening 36 deflects or directs the fluid upwardly in such a manner that the resultant ow draws or induces fluid upwardly through the open-ing from the interior o-f the cylinder I6. rIhis reduces the fluid pressure in the cylinder. The suction or upward induction of uid from the interior of the cylinder I6, resulting from the directing or deflecting of the fluid by the boss B, is accompanied by a reaction, namely an increase in the pressure acting downwardly on the upper end of the piston valve II. This increased pressure is counter to the fonce exerted by the float means I8 and tends to lessen the rate of closing of the valve and steady the closing action. The fluid pressure acting on the shoulder S is higher than the pressure in the cylinder and the force imposed on the shoulder S is counter to the valveclosing force exerted by the float 39. This counter fiuid pressure acting on the shoulder S resists the tendency of the Valve I'I to suddenly jar closed as it approaches the closed position, and the piston valve I'I moves into sealing engagement with the gasket 29 without jarring, chattering or hammering. Immediately following the closing of the piston valve Il the valve part 49 comes into sealing engagement with the washer 48 to close the opening 35.

With the surface 35 of the valve I'I in sealing cooperation with the gasket 26 water is prevented from flowing from the pipe line arm I3 into the stand I2 and where one or more outlets of the line II are open the water level in the stand I2 lowers. As the water level in the stand I2 lowers the lever 38 and the link 4I move downwardly. At the start of the downward movement of the link 44 the valve part 49 moves away from the washer 48 to uncover the opening 39. The spring 5I may aid the opening action of the valve part 49. With the opening 36 open the pressure at the opposite sides of the piston valve is that of the head in the stand I2 and the valve I'I is "oating or balanced except for the fluid pressure in the pipe arm I3 acting on the shoulder S. The fluid pressure on the shoulder S assists the oat 39 in opening the valve II, and the piston valve readily moves downwardly with the link 44. Downward movement of the piston valve I'I moves the face 35 away from the gasket 26 so that water is again permitted to flow from the arm I3 into the stand I2. The valve operates as above to maintain a substantially constant water level in the stand I2 and, therefore, a substantially uniform head in the line I I.

The ow directing boss B and the fluid pressure shoulder S of the piston valve I'I co-act and are related to reduce or prevent sudden movement and shock during the inal portions of the valve movements. In practice the valve of the invention operates smoothly and effectively for anindenite period without producing a water hammer action or chattering in the line. The device or valve is compact to be installed in a stand of small diameter and is easily and quickly mounted and sealed in place in practically any situation.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any variations or modications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall Within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, We claim:

1. Valve means for use in connection with a pipe part delivering liquid to a chamber having an outlet, the valve means comprising a mountin'g flange for application to the pipe part, a supporting bracket above the flange, a sealing gasket between the ange and bracket having an exposed part, a cylinder suspended from the bracket to be below the flange and within the pipe part, a piston valve movable in the cylinder and cooperable with the exposed part of the gasket to close off iiow from said pipe part, and oat means supported on the bracket responsive to the level in said chamber to operate the valve.

2. Valve means for use in connection with a pipe part delivering liquid to a chamber having an outlet, the Valve means comprising a mounting fiange for application to the discharge end of the pipe part, a supporting bracket overlyingv the ange, a gasket between the llange and bracket having an exposed portion, a cylinder Within the pipe part, a perforated web on the upper end of the cylinder engaging against a part of said exposed gasket portion, means attaching the Web to the bracket to suspend the cylinder in the pipe part, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and adapted to seal With said portion of the gasket toV close oil the pipe part, and means carried by the bracket responsive to the liquid level in the chamber to operate the valve.

3. Valve means for use in connection with a pipe part delivering liquid to a chamber having an outlet, the valveV means comprising a mounting flange for application to the discharge end of the pipe part, a supporting bracket overlying the fia-nge, a gasket between the ilange and bracket having an exposed portion, a cylinder suspended from the bracket to lie Within the pipe part and to have its upper end engage the gasket, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and adapted to seal with said portion of the gasket to close oi the pipe part, float means carried by the bracket and responsive to the liquid level in the chamber to operate the valve, and a spring loaded slack connection between the iioat Aeans and the valve.

4. Valve means for use in connection with a pipe part delivering liquid to a chamber having an outlet, the valve means comprising a supporting means for application to said pipe part, a cylinde* carried by the supporting means, a valve seat on the supporting means, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and coope-rable with the seat to stop the flow from the pipe part, float means carried by the supporting means responsive to the liquid level in the chamber to open and close the valve, the piston having a port placing the cylinder in communication with the pipe part, a surface on thepiston directing the uuid ilovving past the valve to induce fluid out through said port as thevalve closes to reduce the pressure in the cylinder, and a surface on the valve exposed to the pressure in the pipe part and opposing the seat so that the fluid pressure acting on the last mentioned surface as the valve closes is counter to the force exerted on the valve by the float to prevent the valve from hammering closed.

5. Valve means for use in connection With a pipe part delivering liquid to a chamber having an outlet, the valve means comprising a supporting means for application to said pipe part, a cylinder carried by the supporting means, a valve seat on the supporting means, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and cooperable with the seat to stop the flow from the pipe part,'operating means carried by the supporting means and responsive to the liquid level in the chamber, a slack connection between the operating means and the valve, there being a port for putting the cylinder in communication with the pipe part to equalize the pressure on the opposite sides of the valve, means on the valve for causing a reduction in pressure in the cylinder as the valve closes, and a suriace on the vvalve exposed to theV pressure in the pipe part and opposingV the seat so that fluid pressure acting on the surface as the valve closes is-counter to the force exerted on the valve by the operating means to retard the nal closing movement of the valve. i

6. Valve means for use in connection with a Vpipe part deliveringv liquid to a chamber having an outlet, the valve means comprising a supporting means for application to said pipe part, a cylinder carried by the supporting means, a valve seat on the supporting means, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and cooperable with the seat to stop the flow from the pipe part, oat means carried by the supporting means responsive to the liquid level in the chamber', the piston having a port for placing the cylinder in communication with the pipe part, operating means carried by the supporting means responsive to the liquid level in the chamber including a movable operating member for moving the valve and havingV limited movement relative toY the valve, a flow deector on the valve causing the fluid Vmoving past the valve to draw fluid from the port as the valve closes, a surface on the valve opposing the seat and acted on by the pressure in the pipe part so that said pressure is counter to the valve closing force exerted by the operating means to prevent hammering of the valve, and a valve part on said member closing said port when the valve is in the closed position against the seat and moved away from v said port when the member begins moving in a direction to open the valve.

'7. Valve means for use in connection with a pipe part delivering liquid to a chamber having an outlet, the valve means comprising a sup-Y porting means for application to said pipe part, a cylinder carried by the supporting means, a valve seat on the supporting means, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and oooperable with the seat to stop the iiow from the pipe part, iloat means carried by the supporting means responsive to the liquid level in the chamber, the piston having a port for placing the cylinder in communication with the pipe part, operating means carried by the supporting means responsive to the liquid level in the chamber including a movable operating member for moving the valve and having limited movement relative to the valve, a flow dene-eter on the valve causing the fluid moving past the valve to draw iluld from the port as the valve closes, a surface on the valve opposing the seat and acted on by the pressure in the pipe part so Vthat said pres-sure is counter to the valve closing .force exerted by the operating means to prevent hammering of the valve, a valve part on said member closing said port When the valve is in the closed position against the seat and moved away from said port when the member begins moving in a direction to open the valve, and spring means for aiding said movement of the valve part.

8. Valve means for use in connection with a pipe part delivering liquid to a chamber having an Outlet, the valve means comprising a supporting means for application to said pipe part, a cylinder carried by the supporting a valve seat on the supporting means, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and oooperable with the seat to stop the ow from the pipe part, the Valve having a port placing the in coinmunication with the pipe part, float means actu-` ated by changes in the liquid level in the chamber t0 operate the valve, the fioat means including a movable operating member passing through the port, a flow delector on the valve causing the uid moving past the valve to draw fluid from the port as the valve closes, a surface on the valve opposing the seat and acted on by the pressure in the pipe part so that said pressure is counter to the valve closing force exerted by the Voperating means to prevent hammering of the valve, a valve part on said member opposing the port and closing the port when the valve is in the closed position against the seat, the said member and valve part having limited movement relative to the valve whereby said part moves away from the port when the member begins to move in a direction to open the valve, and a spring acting between the valve and said part urging the said part from the port.

9. Valve means for application to the upper end of a supply pipe discharging into a stand pipe of an irrigation system, .the valve means comprising an annular base to be secured to said end of the pipe, a valve seat on the base, a cylinder depending from the base to extend into the pipe, the lower end of the cylinder being closed, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and adapted to move upwardly .through .the upper end of the cylinder to cooperate with the seat, there being a port in the upper end of the Valve for putting the cylinder in communication with the pipe, a noat and lever mechanism supported on the base for operating the Valve and including an operating member extending downwardly through said port, a flow deector on the valve causing the fluid moving past the valve to draw fluid from the port as the valve closes, a surface on the valve opposing the seat and acted on by the pressure in the pipe part so that said -1 pressure is counter to the valve closing force exerted by the operating means to prevent 'nammering of the valve, and a slack connection between said member and the valve whereby the member may move the valve into and out of cof operation with the seat, the slack connection including a part on the member engageable with the valve to control said port.

l0. Valve means for application to the upper end of a supply pipe discharging into a stand pipe of an irrigation system, the valve means comprising an annular base to be secured to said end `of the pipe, a valve seat on the base, a cylinder depending from the base to extend into the pipe, the lower end of the cylinder being closed, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and adapted to move upwardly through the upper end of the cylinder to cooperate with the seat, there being a port in the upper endof the valve for putting the cylinder in communication with the pipe, a float and lever mechanism supported on the base for operating the valve and including an operating member extending downwardly' through said port, a slack connection between said member and the valve whereby the member may move the valve into and out of cooperation with the seat, the slack connection including two spaced elements on the valve, one a washer around the port, and a part on said member movable between said elements, the engagement of the part with the washer closing said port when the valve is closed, a flow directing boss on the upper end of the valve around the port causing the fluid ow to induce fluid from the cylinder as the Valve closes, and an upwardly facing shoulder on the valve acted on by the pressure in the pipe so that said pressure prevents sudden closing of the valve.

1l. Valve means for application to the upper end of a supply pipe dis-charging into a stand pipe of an irrigation system, the valve means comprising an annular base to be secured to said end of the pipe, a valve seat on the base, a cylinder depending from the base to extend into the pipe, the lower endrof the cylinder being closed, a piston valve operable in the cylinder and adapted `to move upwardly through the upper end o1 the cylinder to cooperate with the seat, there being a port in the upper end of the valve for putting the cylinder in communication with the pipe, a float and lever mechanism supported on the base for operating the valve and including an operating member extending downwardly through said port, a slack'` spring loaded connection between said member and the Valve whereby the member may move the valve into and out oi cooperation with the seat, the slack connection including two spaced elements on the valve, one a washer around the port, a part on said member movable between said elements, the engagement of the part with the Washer closing said port when vthe valve is closed, and a spring under compression between the washer and said part, a flow directing boss on the upper end of the valve around the port causing the fluid flow to induce iluid from the cylinder as the valve closes, and anv upwardly facing shoulder on the valve acted on by the pressure in the pipe so that said pressure prevents sudden closing of the Valve.

ALBERT T. IHNG. KENNETH A. KING. 

